![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
i have changed recently from zoloft to wellbutrin. i thought my problem was manic depression, but now that social anxiety disorder has come across my radar, i really wonder if it THIS isn't the problem, or an additional problem. anyway, with zoloft (6 yrs) i was worried about a persistent undercurrent of apathy that seemed to be taking hold. now, i am in a constant state that vacillates between anger and anxiety. its only been a little over 2 weeks at this dosage, though.
somebody tell me this will get better? and will wellbutrin help with social anxiety disorder?
i always thought that i had no friends (really...none) because i'm a terrible person. of course, that could really be it. but i venture to guess that a psychiatrist/psychologist somewhere would think it clinical. i would never call anyone on the phone, or email them, because i feel its an imposition. i can't conceive of having anyone in my house because i would be embarrassed that its dirty. i have been described by others as anything from "reserved" to "unfriendly." okay, one person called me extremely vulnerable, and of everthing that's ever been said about me, that disturbed me the most. i haven't seen her since. i HATE to hug people because i tremble at any physical contact. (my husband was charmed because he thought it was only him!) i hate restaurants. once-as a child-i stopped speaking to my father. i think it lasted a year. (but who knows how my memory has twisted that?) i would love not speaking at all, but that gets you more attention than saying something stupid, unfortunately.
Posted by Racer on September 9, 2007, at 23:26:58
In reply to social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
Hi, and welcome to Babble! I hope you get some good answers here, and decide to stick around.
I'm not sure this is a good answer, but it is an answer:
Zoloft would be more likely to help an anxiety disorder than Wellbutrin. That apathy you described, though, mostly likely is from the Zoloft -- the SSRIs can cause apathy for some people. Wellbutrin is known to be much more activating than SSRIs are, and can actually increase anxiety for many people.
In reading your post, I notice you mention what you *think* your diagnosis is, but you don't mention what your doctor has diagnosed you with? "Manic depression" is a very distinct disorder, and is often made worse by antidepressants. I've heard many people, though, use "manic depression" to try to express "severe major depression" -- I think "depression" is used so often in common speech, that people forget it is also a very serious disorder. I wonder if you've been getting your medications through a GP, who may not have the skills necessary to treat you appropriately? The reason I say that is this: many GPs are trained to try antidepressants according to a general rule that basically says to try an SSRI first, and if that doesn't work, move on to Wellbutrin, or Remeron, or Effexor. A good psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist, though, can work to find a good balance that addresses your symptoms successfully. It's probably worth trying it.
If you're experiencing anger/irritability/anxiety on Wellbutrin, it's probably not the drug for you. Even at two weeks, you should be seeing some benefit -- although the discontinuation of Zoloft could also be a part of that.
If I were feeling like going out on a limb and suggesting anything, I'd suggest trying Wellbutrin along with Zoloft -- you can usually take lower doses of each if you take them together, and they affect different neurochemical systems, so they complement each other. There are also drugs that are similar to taking both, like Cymbalta and Effexor, and one of those might be a good option. It's probably also worth asking your doctor about a drug called Remeron. It's a good antidepressant with some anxiolytic effects.
Good luck, and again -- welcome to Babble.
Posted by canyon17 on September 9, 2007, at 23:29:40
In reply to social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
Wellbutrin did that to me. I was only on it like 6-7 days. I was either anxious or pissed off alot. I know it works for some but I have social anxiety too and Wellbutrin wasn't going to work in that department for me.
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on September 9, 2007, at 23:29:54
In reply to social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
> i have changed recently from zoloft to wellbutrin. i thought my problem was manic depression, but now that social anxiety disorder has come across my radar, i really wonder if it THIS isn't the problem, or an additional problem. anyway, with zoloft (6 yrs) i was worried about a persistent undercurrent of apathy that seemed to be taking hold. now, i am in a constant state that vacillates between anger and anxiety. its only been a little over 2 weeks at this dosage, though.
>
> somebody tell me this will get better? and will wellbutrin help with social anxiety disorder?
>
> i always thought that i had no friends (really...none) because i'm a terrible person. of course, that could really be it. but i venture to guess that a psychiatrist/psychologist somewhere would think it clinical. i would never call anyone on the phone, or email them, because i feel its an imposition. i can't conceive of having anyone in my house because i would be embarrassed that its dirty. i have been described by others as anything from "reserved" to "unfriendly." okay, one person called me extremely vulnerable, and of everthing that's ever been said about me, that disturbed me the most. i haven't seen her since. i HATE to hug people because i tremble at any physical contact. (my husband was charmed because he thought it was only him!) i hate restaurants. once-as a child-i stopped speaking to my father. i think it lasted a year. (but who knows how my memory has twisted that?) i would love not speaking at all, but that gets you more attention than saying something stupid, unfortunately.
>
>
>Hi there...First, I highly doubt you are a 'terrible' person. The problem is this illness makes you feel like that. It sounds like you are not getting too good of treatment options. Have you or your doc talked about a Zoloft/Wellbutrin combo? It sounds like you also have nervous angst, in there, which I think that would mean you possibly have anxiety. Benzo's are first-line for anxiety, and can make a superior difference when say, combined with an SSRI, or numerous other meds. But, there are also mood stabilizers, and small doses of atypical antipsychotics. (If those don't work, even a trial of a small dose of a 'typical' antipsychotic could work.) You can, and deserve to find relief. In my honest personal opinion (for what it's worth), it doesn't sound like Wellbutrin is right for you, currently. Have you talked about any of these other options with your doctor? Please let us know...
Best...
Jay :-)p.s. the world and life just are *flawed* by nature. This illness magnifies it a million times through. It's not your fault at all..please remember that.
Posted by unbottled on September 10, 2007, at 1:23:40
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder » flawed, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on September 9, 2007, at 23:29:54
Hi "flawed". It's taken me a very long time to find out, but I also have S.A.D. as my main disorder and what you describe is very familiar - every one of your symptom matches. Unfortunately I went through years of the wrong treatments / medications, partly because of being treated mainly for bipolar and major depression as well. After some thirty years of self-destruction Wellbutrin was what I ended up on - it's not bad for my other symptoms, and actually does seem to help a bit with the S.A.D. as well. If I have to "back up" with respect to medications I'll go back to Wellbutrin any time.
However. I never understood how disabling S.A.D. itself is until I started taking a MAO inhibitor. In a way I should have known .. my brother has taken Nardil (the main MAO inhibitor available in the US), since the sixties .. he didn't wreck his life as I did. [ I must say, by the way, this possibly is an uncomfortable post to read, since I'm talking about yet another treatment (and God knows => it may be *exactly wrong* for you), but I'm talking about what's real for me, and you may notice if you check out this forum, that *some* people are seemingly cured overnight by starting on Nardil. ]
To give you an example I have been shy/reserved to the point of perceived hostility since kindergarten. Never spoke in my first years at school, my "jolly-give-him-a-camp-name" in cub-camp was "silent". Etc. This summer, the first day I took the Moclobemide (people might describe it as a weak Nardil) ... for some reason I actually stood next to two complete strangers and watched a boat race in the Harbour (Vancouver), quite deliberately, and also spoke the pair of them afterwards, just about the race. Just commonplaces, but I couldn't believe myself - I had initiated the conversation! Never done that before in my life, and this just an hour or so after taking a tablet for the first time. Not only that, but after a while I noticed that my normally continual stream of negative thoughts .. had become optional .. my first reaction to everything was "yes", instead of "no". Unbelievable.
I'm not sure if I'm conveying this correctly, but I believe this stuff can change your life. Anyway I've posted to this forum before, but get the feeling that I'm on a completely different wavelength (quite apart from the fact that I'm a terrible person %^), so perhaps "flawed", you could mail me directly if you've got a question - I'd be glad to talk.
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 13:01:21
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by unbottled on September 10, 2007, at 1:23:40
I too have horrible social anxiety and inside panic(hide it well) and l week of l50mg of wellbutrin made me appear manic to my pdoc so I was hospitalized and taken off it. Phillipa
Posted by Racer on September 10, 2007, at 15:31:00
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by unbottled on September 10, 2007, at 1:23:40
>
> I'm not sure if I'm conveying this correctly, but I believe this stuff can change your life. Anyway I've posted to this forum before, but get the feeling that I'm on a completely different wavelength (quite apart from the fact that I'm a terrible person %^), so perhaps "flawed", you could mail me directly if you've got a question - I'd be glad to talk.I just wanted to say two things:
One, I'm very glad you've found something which works so well for you. It's good to be reminded that it is possible to find that kind of relief.
I'm not sure what you meant by being on a different wavelength here. If you're talking about MAOIs, a lot of people here love them. If you're talking specifically about moclobemide, it might be because it's not available in the US, where a very high percentage of the posters here are located... And if you meant something else entirely, never mind...
Peace
Posted by cumulative on September 10, 2007, at 17:09:05
In reply to social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
Most people will "mistake" the communication difficulties of inattentive ADD or social anxiety as unfriendliness, or reservation, or arrogance. It's an emotional reaction -- people are profoundly sensitive when they communicate.
Anyway, I think the recommendations of Zoloft should be tempered by the point that: SSRI monotherapy is ineffective in 75-95% of social anxiety cases, regardless of FDA approval for Zoloft and Paxil in this condition. My gut neurochemistry feeling is that a combination of Zoloft and Wellbutrin would indeed do better ... but have you thought about Nardil, the "gold standard" in social anxiety?
Check out this website:
www.socialfear.com
Posted by flawed on September 10, 2007, at 18:44:54
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by cumulative on September 10, 2007, at 17:09:05
i am hearing about wellbutrin in conjunction with zoloft. i wonder if anyone has tried that combination for social anxiety disorder and, if so, how it worked.
thanks all for giving me so much insight. yes-- i am seriously considering nardil as an option. i'll keep you posted.
Posted by flawed on September 10, 2007, at 18:48:19
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by cumulative on September 10, 2007, at 17:09:05
> Check out this website:
> www.socialfear.comthanks! i've been there. this was the sight that caused me to start pondering social anxiety disorder in the first place. so i came here already thinking about nardil, too.
Posted by jhj on September 12, 2007, at 9:32:12
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 10, 2007, at 18:44:54
I have tried it atleast for a year with out any benefit.But,then no drug has given me any benefits.Probably my anxiety is more severe then yours because i am 29 years old male and i have not talked to any women in my life unless compelled to and get frightened even at the thought of a relationship and you have even managed to get married.I am fearful of speaking to even my father and brother.I can only speak with out hasitation with my mom.I have not tried nardil because it is not approved in my country.Thanks.
Posted by flawed on September 12, 2007, at 11:34:54
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder, posted by jhj on September 12, 2007, at 9:32:12
>
> and you have even managed to get married.I am fearful of speaking to even my father and brother.I can only speak with out hasitation with my mom.I have not tried nardil because it is not approved in my country.i agree that my disorder seems less severe than some. i am married and work full time. i understand what you are going through with your family quite well, however. i only interact with my mother, father, and siblings when my husband forces the issue by inviting them over to dinner or drags me to my parent's house. he can't understand my problem. and its not that i don't love my family, but i just find speaking to them incredibly difficult, so i avoid them completely. of course, they see it as a rejection and are hurt, which makes me even more uncomfortable and less able to interact.
don't ask me how i managed to get married. my husband is very tenacious. i tried to get him to leave me alone.... and beleive me that i usually have NO problem getting people to leave me alone.
Posted by jhj on September 13, 2007, at 2:00:16
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder » jhj, posted by flawed on September 12, 2007, at 11:34:54
I am not underestimating your problem.But,all i am saying is that zoloft and wellibutrin is good combination though it has not worked for me.Is your social anxiety accompanied by other disorders as in my case like Generalized anxiety disorder and depression? Anyway,good luck.
Posted by flawed on September 13, 2007, at 7:40:21
In reply to Re: social anxiety disorder-flawed, posted by jhj on September 13, 2007, at 2:00:16
>
> I am not underestimating your problem.i know. my original diagnosis was major depressive disorder. but zoloft really helped with the depression.
Posted by Lebrada on September 16, 2007, at 9:14:09
In reply to social anxiety disorder, posted by flawed on September 9, 2007, at 22:10:33
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.